RetroConsole

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RetroConsole

By Gaigen

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Play libretro emulators on in-world TV screens

Mod Loaders
Minecraft
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About

Description

RetroConsole brings libretro emulation into Minecraft 1.21.1 (NeoForge). Place a console in your world, build a TV wall from Screen blocks, browse your game library, and play on in-world displays or in a fullscreen viewer.

Early release (0.1.0) — expect rough edges. Feedback welcome on GitHub.

What you get

  • Retro Console block with a game library UI — tabs per system, search, favorites
  • Screen blocks that form multiblock TV walls (console must touch the wall)
  • Fullscreen TV view with volume, quick save/load (F5/F6)
  • Server-side emulation — video and audio stream to nearby players
  • Per-player saves, play-time stats, PS2 memory-card sync
  • In-game config UI — paths, streaming distances, session limits, video presets
  • Hardware-render cores (PS2, PSP, Dreamcast) via bundled headless OpenGL helper

Requirements
Minecraft 1.21.1
Loader NeoForge 21.1.x
Java 21
OS Windows or Linux (64-bit)

macOS is not supported.

This mod does not ship libretro cores, BIOS files, or ROMs. You must supply them yourself and only use content you have the legal right to use.

Quick start

  1. Install the mod JAR into your mods folder.
  2. Launch the game — config/retroconsole/ is created automatically.
  3. Download libretro cores (.dll / .so) from the libretro buildbot → config/retroconsole/cores/
  4. Add ROMs to config/retroconsole/roms/<system>/ (e.g. nes/, gba/, ps2/)
  5. For PS2 / Dreamcast: add BIOS to config/retroconsole/system/ (see wiki/README on GitHub)
  6. Craft blocks (or use the Retro Console creative tab)
  7. Place the console so it touches your screen wall. Right-click → library → Launch.
  8. Right-click again while playing → fullscreen TV view.

TV screens

  • Screens link only by physical contact with the console.
  • Same facing/orientation → one rectangular wall.
  • Look down/up sharply to place floor/ceiling screens.

Tested cores (0.1.0)

Tested on Windows 11. Other libretro cores may work but are not guaranteed.

Core System
nestopia_libretro NES
snes9x_libretro SNES
mgba_libretro GBA
genesis_plus_gx_libretro Genesis / Mega Drive
pcsx_rearmed_libretro PS1
pcsx2_libretro PS2 (needs BIOS)
ppsspp_libretro PSP
flycast_libretro Dreamcast (needs BIOS)

Supported catalog folders also include: gb, sms, psp, segacd, saturn — depending on which core you install.

Multiplayer

On a dedicated server, ROMs and cores live on the server. Emulation runs server-side; clients receive video/audio streams. Saves and stats are per-player on the server.

Configuration

Open ⚙ in the library, or Mods → RetroConsole → Config.

  • retroconsole-common.toml — folder paths
  • retroconsole-server.toml — streaming distances, session limits (maxCoreSlots, maxPcsx2Sessions), video quality presets

Controls (defaults)

Emulator: Arrow keys = D-Pad · Z/X/C/V = A/B/X/Y · Q/W/E/R = L1/R1/L2/R2 · Enter = Start · Right Shift = Select · I/K/J/L and T/G/F/H = analog sticks TV view: F1 = help · F5/F6 = quick save/load · Esc = exit Rebind under Options → Controls → Retro Console.

Legal

  • RetroConsole is not RetroArch and is not affiliated with the libretro project. It implements the libretro API only.
  • No ROMs, BIOS, or cores are included. You are responsible for complying with copyright and core licenses.
  • Mod license: GPL-3.0. Source: GitHub

Links